Information processing device and information processing method

ABSTRACT

Provided an information processing device that is capable of switching between a state in which a device is carried and a state in which the device is not carried in a more suitable form in accordance with a state or situation in which the device is used. The information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on a user and a controller that executes a control process for moving a device that can be carried by the user so that the device changes between a carry state in which the device is carried by the user and a non-carry state in which the device is not carried by the user on the basis of the information on the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/535,641, filed Jun. 13, 2017, which is a U.S.National Phase of International Patent Application No.PCT/JP2015/080767, filed Oct. 30, 2015, and claims priority benefit ofJapanese Patent Application No. JP 2015-011057 filed in Japan PatentOffice on Jan. 23, 2015. Each of the above-referenced applications ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, aninformation processing method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, types of devices referred to as so-called informationprocessing devices have been diversified in accordance with developmentof communication techniques and reduction in the size of variousdevices, and not only personal computers (PCs) and the like but alsodevices that can be carried by users, such as smartphones and tabletterminals, have been diffused. Further, in recent years, a so-calledwearable terminal, which can be used while being carried by a user whenthe user wears the wearable terminal on a part of a body of the user,has also been proposed as a portable device.

Further, among the devices described above, a device that communicateswith a user to recognize a desire of the user and execute variousfunctions in accordance with the desire (for example, robot) is alsoproposed, and those information processing devices include a portableinformation processing device. For example, Patent Literature 1discloses an example of a system in which a user carries a device thatcan communicate with the user.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1:

-   JP 2004-193932A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

As described above, among devices such as so-called informationprocessing devices, devices having a high function, high performance,and a small size have also been diffused, and use purposes thereof havealso been diversified. Therefore, it is expected that a frequency ofusing the devices is further increased.

Meanwhile, as a method of using the devices described above, it is notnecessarily preferable that the user use the devices while carrying thedevices, and, for example, it can also be expected that, depending on ause scene of the device (that is, a state or situation in which thedevice is used), it is desirable that the user use the device while notcarrying the device (for example, the user use the device while notwearing the device).

In view of this, the present disclosure proposes an informationprocessing device, an information processing method, and a program, eachof which is capable of switching a state in which a device is carriedand a state in which the device is not carried in a more suitable formin accordance with a state or situation in which the device is used.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an informationprocessing device including: an acquisition unit configured to acquireinformation on a user; and a controller configured to execute a controlprocess for moving a device that can be carried by the user so that thedevice changes between a carry state in which the device is carried bythe user and a non-carry state in which the device is not carried by theuser on the basis of the information on the user.

Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aninformation processing method including: acquiring information on auser; and executing, by a processor, a control process for moving adevice that can be carried by the user so that the device changesbetween a carry state in which the device is carried by the user and anon-carry state in which the device is not carried by the user on thebasis of the information on the user.

Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aprogram causing a computer to execute acquiring information on a user,and executing a control process for moving a device that can be carriedby the user so that the device changes between a carry state in whichthe device is carried by the user and a non-carry state in which thedevice is not carried by the user on the basis of the information on theuser.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, the present disclosure provides an informationprocessing device, an information processing method, and a program, eachof which is capable of switching a state in which a device is carriedand a state in which the device is not carried in a more suitable formin accordance with a state or situation in which the device is used.

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other effects that maybe grasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of a system towhich an information processing device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of the system towhich the information processing device according to this embodiment isapplied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration of the system to which the information processing deviceaccording to this embodiment is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic state transition diagram showing an example of arelationship among various operation modes of the information processingdevice according to this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of operation of theinformation processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of operation of theinformation processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of operation ofan information processing device according to Modification example 1.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of operation ofan information processing device according to Modification example 1.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of operation ofan information processing device according to Modification example 2.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for describing an outline of operation ofan information processing device according to Modification example 3.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof the information processing device according to this embodiment.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. In thisspecification and the appended drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structuralelements is omitted.

Note that description will be provided in the following order.

1. Outline

2. Functional configuration

3. Processing

4. Modification examples4.1. Modification example 1: Example of operation in carry mode4.2. Modification example 2: Example of control in accordance with user4.3. Modification example 3: Example where a plurality of informationprocessing devices are associated

5. Examples

6. Hardware configuration

7. Conclusion 1. OUTLINE

First, an outline of a system to which an information processing deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 areexplanatory views for describing the outline of the system to which theinformation processing device according to the present embodiment isapplied.

As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing device 10 according to thepresent embodiment includes a drive unit 17 and is movable by drivingthe drive unit 17. As a specific example, in an example shown in FIG. 1,the information processing device 10 includes a flight mechanism such asa propeller as the drive unit 17 and moves by flying with the use of theflight mechanism.

An operation mode of the information processing device 10 is switchedbetween a mode in which a user carries the information processing device10 and another mode different from the above mode in accordance withvarious states or situations (hereinafter, generally described as“various states” in some cases) such as recognized behavior of the user,a recognized state of the user, and a recognized surrounding environment(external environment). Note that, hereinafter, the mode in which theuser carries the information processing device 10 will be described as“carry mode” in some cases.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, in a case where, forexample, the user is staying at home, the information processing device10 stands by on a charging stand 70 for charging a battery and, when theinformation processing device 10 detects behavior in which a user u1moves to the outside (for example, behavior of moving toward anentrance), the information processing device 10 causes the operationmode to transition to the carry mode. Note that, hereinafter, a modeshowing a state in which the information processing device 10 stands byat a position that satisfies a predetermined condition, such as thecharging stand 70, will be described as “stand-by mode” in some cases.

As a specific example, the information processing device 10 includes animaging unit 14 for capturing an image and a detection device includingvarious sensors and can recognize various states such as behavior of theuser, a state of the user, and a surrounding environment (externalenvironment) on the basis of information acquired by the imaging unit 14and the detection device. Further, the information processing device 10may recognize the user u1 by analyzing an image captured by the imagingunit 14.

Further, the information processing device 10 can communicate withanother information processing device via a wireless or wired networkand may recognize the various states on the basis of informationdetected by the another information processing device. Note that,hereinafter, another information processing device that can beassociated with the information processing device 10 will be describedas “information processing device 30” in some cases in order todifferentiate the another information processing device from theinformation processing device 10. For example, in FIG. 1, variousdevices denoted by reference signs 30 a to 30 d show examples of theinformation processing device 30 that can communicate with theinformation processing device 10.

Specifically, the information processing devices 30 a and 30 b showexamples of the information processing device 30 configured as aso-called wearable device that is used by the user u1 while being wornon a part of a body of the user u1. As described above, the informationprocessing device 30 configured as a wearable device may, for example,acquire information for recognizing the behavior or state of the user byusing various sensors included therein. As a specific example, theinformation processing device 10 may recognize whether or not the useru1 is moving (for example, walking) on the basis of detection resultsobtained by an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensorincluded in the information processing devices 30 a and 30 b.

Further, one or more of the information processing devices 30 may becarried while being stored in possessions of the user such as a bag. Forexample, the information processing device 30 c shows an example of theinformation processing device 30 that is carried together with a bag u11by the user u1 while being stored in the bag u11 possessed by the useru1.

Further, one or more of the information processing devices 30 do notnecessarily need to be carried by the user. As a specific example, theinformation processing device 30 d shows an example of the informationprocessing device 30 configured as a so-called sensor device placed on apredetermined place to sense information determined in advance. In theexample shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 30 d isconfigured as, for example, a motion sensor and, when the informationprocessing device 30 d is placed in the entrance, the informationprocessing device 30 d can detect the user u1 who moves to the entrance.

Further, as another example, the information processing device 10 mayindirectly estimate various states such as behavior of the user, a stateof the user, and a surrounding environment (external environment) on thebasis of data registered in advance. For example, the informationprocessing device 10 may refer to data indicating a schedule of the useru1 registered in advance and estimate behavior of the user u1 on thebasis of the schedule. As a specific example, in the example shown inFIG. 1, the information processing device 10 may estimate behavior inwhich the user u1 moves to the outside on the basis of data indicatingthe user u1's plan to go out.

On the basis of the above configuration, the information processingdevice 10 can recognize various states such as behavior of the user, astate of the user, and a surrounding environment (external environment).

Then, when the information processing device 10 transitions to the carrymode on the basis of a recognition result of the various states, theinformation processing device 10 drives the drive unit 17 to move to aposition determined in advance to cause the user to carry theinformation processing device 10 and is held in the position. Forexample, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the information processingdevice 10 transitions from the stand-by mode to the carry mode, theinformation processing device 10 detects a position p11 set in thevicinity of a shoulder of the user, moves to the position p11, lands onthe position p11, and is held therein.

Note that, as long as the information processing device 10 can detectthe position p11 determined in advance, a method thereof is notparticularly limited. For example, the information processing device 10may detect a position of the user u1 on the basis of positioninformation of the information processing device 30 (for example, theinformation processing devices 30 a to 30 c) carried by the user, theposition information being detected by the information processing device30. Further, as another example, the information processing device 10may recognize that, for example, on the basis of a detection result ofthe user u1 obtained by the information processing device 30 placed in aspecified area such as the entrance, the user u1 positions in the area.

Further, the information processing device 10 may recognize the user u1on the basis of an image captured by the imaging unit 14. Further, atthis time, for example, the information processing device 10 may analyzethe captured image, detect a predetermined shape characteristic on thebasis of an analysis result, and therefore recognize a position of apredetermined part (for example, shoulder) of the user u1, therebydetecting the position p11 set on the part on the basis of therecognition result.

Further, when a device for carrying the information processing device 10is held (placed) in the position p11 in advance, the informationprocessing device 10 may detect the position p11 on the basis of aresult of communication with the device. As a specific example, when adevice that transmits a predetermined electric wave (or electromagneticwave) for detecting a position, such as a beacon, is held in theposition p11, the information processing device 10 can detect theposition p11 on the basis of an electric wave from the device. Further,a so-called marker for allowing the information processing device 10 todetect the position p11 may be provided at the position p11.

Note that a configuration or method for holding the informationprocessing device 10 in the position p11 is not particularly limited. Asa specific example, a mechanism for grabbing an object close to theinformation processing device 10 may be provided in the informationprocessing device 10. With this, the information processing device 10itself may be held in the position p11 by controlling the mechanism sothat the mechanism grabs a part of the user u1 (for example, shoulder)corresponding to the position p11.

Further, as another example, a member for fixing the informationprocessing device 10 may be provided at the position p11 and anengagement portion for engaging with the member may be provided in theinformation processing device 10. With this configuration, theinformation processing device 10 itself may be held in the position p11by engaging the engagement portion provided in the informationprocessing device 10 itself with the member provided at the positionp11.

As described above, in a case where the information processing device 10transitions to the carry mode in accordance with detection of a statethat satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, behavior in whichthe user u1 moves to the outside) among various states, the informationprocessing device 10 moves to the position p11 set in advance to causethe user u1 to carry the information processing device 10 and is held inthe position p11.

As described above, in the carry mode, the information processing device10 is carried by the user u1 while being held in the predeterminedposition p11. That is, after the information processing device 10transitions to the carry mode (that is, after the information processingdevice 10 is held in the position p11), the information processingdevice 10 moves together with the user u1 without moving by driving thedrive unit 17. Therefore, for example, the information processing device10 does not need to constantly drive the drive unit 17, unlike a casewhere the information processing device 10 operates the drive unit 17 soas to move to follow movement of the user u1 by driving the drive unit17. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption caused by drivingthe drive unit 17.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 detects that the user u1 who carries theinformation processing device 10 itself returns home from the outside,the information processing device 10 transitions to the stand-by mode.When the information processing device 10 transitions to the stand-bymode, the information processing device 10 separates from the positionp11 in which the information processing device 10 is held, moves to aposition that satisfies a condition determined in advance for standingby, and is held in the position (or stands by at the position) bydriving the drive unit 17. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2,when the user u1 returns home from the outside and the informationprocessing device 10 transitions from the carry mode to the stand-bymode, the information processing device 10 detects the charging stand70, moves to the charging stand 70, lands on the charging stand 70, andis held therein.

As described above, in a case where the information processing device 10transitions to the stand-by mode in accordance with detection of a statethat satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, behavior in whichthe user u1 moves to the outside) among various states, the informationprocessing device 10 moves to a position that satisfies a predeterminedcondition (that is, position for standing by) and is held in theposition.

Further, the information processing device 10 may separate from the useru1 and move by driving the drive unit 17. As a specific example, theinformation processing device 10 may autonomously move by driving thedrive unit 17 on the basis of an instruction from the user u1 or asurrounding state recognized on the basis of the imaging unit 14 or thevarious sensors. Further, as another example, the information processingdevice 10 may move by driving the drive unit 17 in response to operationvia an operation device (for example, remote controller) performed bythe user u1. In such a case, a mode in which the information processingdevice 10 moves in a state in which the information processing device 10is being separated from the user u1 may be set as the operation mode ofthe information processing device 10. Note that, hereinafter, theoperation mode in which the information processing device 10 moves in astate in which the information processing device 10 is separated fromthe user u1 by driving the drive unit 17 will be described as “drivemode” in some cases.

That is, in a case where the information processing device 10 detects astate that satisfies a predetermined condition among various states, theinformation processing device 10 may switch the operation mode of theown device to any one of the carry mode, the stand-by mode, and thedrive mode in accordance with the detected state and operate inaccordance with the operation mode. Note that the carry mode correspondsto an example of “carry state”. Further, the stand-by mode and the drivemode correspond to examples of “non-carry state”.

As described above, the information processing device 10 according tothe present embodiment determines a state or situation in which the useru1 needs to carry the information processing device 10 itself on thebasis of recognized various states and automatically operates inaccordance with the determination result so as to realize a state inwhich the information processing device 10 itself is carried by the useru1. With this, the user u1 does not need to be explicitly conscious ofoperation of recognizing a change in various states (for example, achange in behavior or a state of the user u1 himself/herself) andcarrying the information processing device 10, and therefore it is alsopossible to prevent a situation in which the user u1 forgets to carrythe information processing device 10 when, for example, the user u1 goesout.

Further, the information processing device 10 according to the presentembodiment may determine a state or situation in which the user u1 doesnot need to carry the information processing device 10 itself (or it isdesirable not to carry the information processing device 10 itself) andmay automatically separate from the user u1 in accordance with thedetermination result. With this, the user u1 does not need to beexplicitly conscious of bothering operation in which the user u1himself/herself recognizes a change in various states (for example, achange in surrounding environment) and removes the informationprocessing device 10.

That is, the information processing device 10 according to the presentembodiment switches a state in which the information processing device10 itself is carried and a state in which the information processingdevice 10 itself is not carried in accordance with a state or situationin which the information processing device 10 itself is used (that is,various states such as behavior of the user, a state of the user, and asurrounding environment (external environment)), without the userperforming explicit operation (that is, automatically). With thisconfiguration, in a situation in which the information processing device10 may be used, the user can carry the information processing device 10in a more suitable form, without being explicitly conscious of whetheror not it is necessary to carry the information processing device 10.

Hereinabove, the outline of the system to which the informationprocessing device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied isdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Note that, hereinafter,the information processing device 10 according to the present embodimentwill be described in more detail.

2. FUNCTIONAL CONFIGURATION

Next, an example of a functional configuration of the system to whichthe information processing device 10 according to the present embodimentis applied, in particular, an example of functional configurations ofthe information processing devices 10 and 30 will be described withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of thefunctional configuration of the system to which the informationprocessing device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied.Note that FIG. 3 shows an example where the information processingdevices 30 a to 30 c serving as the information processing devices 30operate while being associated with the information processing device10. In view of this, in the present description, in a case where theinformation processing devices 30 a to 30 c are not differentiated inparticular, the information processing devices 30 a to 30 c will besimply described as “information processing devices 30” in some cases.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the information processing device 10 and theinformation processing devices 30 a to 30 c are connected via a networkN1, the information processing device 10 and the information processingdevices 30 a to 30 c can operate while being associated with each otheron the basis of communication via the network N1.

Note that a type of the network N1 is not particularly limited as longas the information processing device 10 and the information processingdevices 30 a to 30 c can operate while being associated with each other(for example, the devices can transmit/receive various kinds ofinformation to/from each other). As a specific example, the network N1may be configured as a wired or wireless network. The wireless networkis, for example, a network based on a communication standard such asBluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)(registered trademark). Further, the network N1 may include a pluralityof networks and may include both a wireless network and a wired network.Further, the network N1 may be the so-called Internet or may be a homenetwork, an intracompany network, an in-vehicle network, or the like(for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)).

Further, in order to establish the network N1 between the informationprocessing device 10 and the information processing devices 30 a to 30c, there may be used a technique of autonomously performing routingbetween devices close to each other, such as a so-called ad hoc network,without depending on basic equipment such as base stations and a fixednetwork connecting the base stations. When the network N1 is establishedbetween the information processing device 10 and the informationprocessing devices 30 a to 30 c by using the ad hoc network, it ispossible to perform dynamic control such as participation of a newinformation processing device 30 in the network N1 and separation of aninformation processing device 30 from the network N1.

(Information Processing Device 10)

Herein, the functional configuration of the information processingdevice 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the informationprocessing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a controller 12,and the drive unit 17. Further, the information processing device 10 mayinclude at least any one of a detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14, aninput unit 15, and an output unit 16.

The communication unit 11 is an interface through which eachconfiguration of the information processing device 10 (for example, eachconfiguration of the controller 12) transmits/receives informationto/from the information processing devices 30 connected via the networkN1. Note that, as described above, a form of the network N1 is notparticularly limited as long as the information processing device 10 andthe information processing devices 30 can transmit/receive informationto/from each other. Further, in the following description, in a casewhere each configuration of the information processing device 10transmits/receives information to/from the information processingdevices 30 via the network N1, the information is transmitted/receivedvia the communication unit 11 even in a case where particulardescription is not provided.

The detection unit 13 can include a configuration that acquires variouskinds of information for recognizing at least one of a state of theinformation processing device 10, an external environment of theinformation processing device 10, and a state (or behavior) of the useru1 who uses the information processing device 10. As a specific example,in an example shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 13 includes a sensor131 and a position detection unit 133.

The sensor 131 can include, for example, a configuration that acquiresinformation for recognizing the state of the information processingdevice 10, such as a sensor capable of detecting a change in a positionor orientation of a predetermined housing (for example, a housing of theinformation processing device 10), which encompasses, for example, anacceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor. Further, the sensor131 may include, for example, a configuration that acquires informationfor recognizing the state of the user u1, such as a temperature sensorfor measuring a body temperature of the user u1 or a pulse wave sensorfor detecting a heartbeat or pulse. Further, the sensor 131 may includea configuration that acquires information for recognizing a state of theexternal environment of the information processing device 10(eventually, an external environment of the user u1), such as an airtemperature sensor and a barometric sensor.

The position detection unit 133 is a configuration for acquiringposition information indicating a position of the information processingdevice 10. Note that an example of a technique for acquiring positioninformation is, for example, a global positioning system (GPS).

Further, a configuration included in the detection unit 13 describedabove (for example, the sensor 131 and the position detection unit 133)is merely an example. That is, the configuration included in thedetection unit 13 or a method of acquiring information with theconfiguration is not particularly limited as long as information fordetecting at least one of the state of the information processing device10, the external environment of the information processing device 10,and the state of the user u1 who uses the information processing device10 can be acquired.

As a specific example, the detection unit 13 may include a soundcollection device (for example, microphone) for collecting anenvironmental sound outside the information processing device 10.

Then, the detection unit 13 outputs detected information to a monitoringunit 123 described below. With this, the monitoring unit 123 canrecognize various states, such as the state of the informationprocessing device 10, the external environment of the informationprocessing device 10 (eventually, the external environment of the useru1), and the state (or behavior) of the user u1 who uses the informationprocessing device 10, on the basis of various kinds of informationacquired from the detection unit 13.

The imaging unit 14 includes an imaging element such as a complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device(CCD) image sensor and an optical system such as a lens and is aconfiguration for capturing an image of a subject. The imaging unit 14may output the captured image to the monitoring unit 123. With this, themonitoring unit 123 can recognize, for example, the various states suchas the external environment of the information processing device 10 andthe state of the user u1 in an imaging area on the basis of the imageacquired from the imaging unit 14.

The input unit 15 is a configuration through which the user u1 inputsvarious kinds of information to the information processing device 10. Aspecific example of the input unit 15 is an input device such as abutton or a switch.

Further, the input unit 15 may accept voice input from the user u1. Inthis case, for example, the input unit 15 only needs to be configured asa sound collection device for collecting voice uttered from the user u1,such as a microphone.

In a case where the input unit 15 accepts input from the user u1, theinput unit 15 may output information indicating the content of the inputto the controller 12 described below.

The output unit 16 is a configuration for notifying the user ofinformation. The output unit 16 can include, for example, a display unitfor presenting information serving as a notification target as a videoinformation (for example, letter, still image, or moving image). Thedisplay unit can be configured as, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD) device or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.

Further, the output unit 16 can include a sound output unit foroutputting information serving as a notification target as soundinformation such as voice. The sound output unit can be configured as,for example, a speaker.

Note that the examples of the output unit 16 described above are merelyexamples, and the configuration of the output unit 16 or a method inwhich the output unit 16 notifies the user u1 of information is notparticularly limited as long as the user u1 can be notified ofpredetermined information.

For example, the output unit 16 may be configured as a real object (forexample, an indicator such as an arrow) capable of controlling aposition and an orientation by driving the drive unit. As a specificexample, the output unit 16 may present a direction to the user u1 bycontrolling the orientation of the real object formed as the indicatorsuch as an arrow.

Further, as another example, the output unit 16 may include a lightsource and notify the user u1 of predetermined information by usinglight emitted from the light source. As a specific example, the outputunit 16 may present a direction to the user u1 by emitting visible light(for example, laser light) having directionality in a desired direction.

Note that FIG. 3 shows an example where the detection unit 13, theimaging unit 14, the input unit 15, and the output unit 16 are includedin the information processing device 10. However, the present embodimentis not necessarily limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3. As aspecific example, at least one of the detection unit 13 and the imagingunit 14 may be externally attached to the information processing device10. Further, at least one of the input unit 15 and the output unit 16 donot need to be included in the information processing device 10. In thiscase, the information processing device 10 only needs to acquire inputfrom the user u1 via another external device connected via a network andpresent information to the user u1 by, for example,transmitting/receiving information to/from the external device.

Further, the controller 12 includes a communication controller 121, themonitoring unit 123, a mode controller 125, and a processing executionunit 127. The communication controller 121 is a configuration forcontrolling operation of the communication unit 11. The communicationcontroller 121 executes a predetermined communication protocol with theinformation processing devices 30 connected via the network N1, therebyestablishing communication with the information processing devices 30.

An example of the predetermined communication protocol is pairingprocessing based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) or processing forcausing an access point (AP) and a station (ST) to recognize each otherand establish communication on the basis of a Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark) standard. Further, the communication controller 121 mayestablish communication between the information processing device 10 andthe information processing devices 30 in response to predeterminedoperation (for example, pushing a button) performed on any one of orboth the information processing device 10 and the information processingdevices 30, such as a so-called Wi-Fi protected setup-push buttonconfiguration (WPS-PBC).

Further, in a case where the communication controller 121 newlyestablishes communication with the information processing device 30, thecommunication controller 121 may notify a predetermined notificationdestination (for example, the monitoring unit 123 described below) ofestablishment of the communication. For example, when the communicationcontroller 121 notifies the monitoring unit 123 of the establishment ofthe communication, the monitoring unit 123 can recognize that theinformation processing device 30 has been newly added as an associationtarget.

Further, the communication controller 121 may monitor whether or notcommunication with the information processing devices 30 continues byregularly transmitting/receiving predetermined information to/from theinformation processing devices 30. Then, in a case where communicationestablished with one or more of the information processing devices 30 isdisconnected (for example, in a case where a period in which a responsecannot be received continues for a predetermined period of time ormore), the communication controller 121 may detect disconnection of thecommunication on the basis of a monitoring result and notify themonitoring unit 123 of a detection result.

With this configuration, in a case where communication with at least oneof the information processing devices 30 among the informationprocessing devices 30 serving as the association targets isdisconnected, the monitoring unit 123 that has received the notificationcan recognize disconnection of the communication. In other words, themonitoring unit 123 can recognize that one or more of the informationprocessing devices 10 are excluded from the association targets on thebasis of the notification.

The monitoring unit 123 is a configuration for monitoring at least onestate among a state of the information processing device 10, an externalenvironment of the information processing device 10 (eventually, anexternal environment of the user u1), and a state (or behavior) of theuser u1 who uses the information processing device 10.

The monitoring unit 123 may recognize the state of the user u1 or thebehavior of the user u1 on the basis of a so-called behavior recognitiontechnique by using, as input information, various kinds of informationacquired from at least one of the configurations of the detection unit13, the imaging unit 14, and the information processing device 30.

As a specific example, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize whether ornot the user u1 is moving (for example, walking) on the basis of thebehavior recognition technique by using, as input information,information detected by the acceleration sensor or angular velocitysensor included in the detection unit 13 or the information processingdevice 30. Further, at this time, the monitoring unit 123 may determinewhether the user u1 is walking or running in accordance with a detectionresult of the acceleration sensor or angular velocity sensor (inaccordance with, for example, a direction of vibration or period ofvibration).

Further, in a case where, unless the user u1 himself/herself is notmoving, it is detected that the user u1 is moving on the basis ofposition information (for example, position information of theinformation processing device 10 or 30) detected by a GPS or the like,the monitoring unit 123 may recognize that the user u1 is moving byvehicle, train, or the like. Further, in this case, the monitoring unit123 may recognize a moving path of the user u1 on the basis of theposition information detected by the GPS or the like and recognize (orestimate) moving means (that is, any one of vehicle and train) of theuser u1 on the basis of the recognized moving path. As described above,the monitoring unit 123 may recognize (or estimate) the behavior orstate of the user in accordance with information detected by apredetermined detection device such as a GPS (in other words,information that is not explicitly input by the user).

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize the external environmentof the information processing device 10 (in other words, the externalenvironment of the user u1 who uses the information processing device10) on the basis of various kinds of information acquired by at leastone of the detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14, and the informationprocessing device 30.

As a specific example, the monitoring unit 123 can recognize anenvironment in which the user u1 positions (for example, home orcompany) on the basis of the position information detected by the GPS orthe like. Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a position of ahome or company of the user u1 on the basis of a history of the positioninformation of the user u1 in a specified period of time. As a specificexample, on the basis of a history of the position information of theuser u1 at night, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a positionhaving the highest frequency of existence of the user u1 as the positionof the home of the user u1. Similarly, on the basis of a history of theposition information of the user u1 in the daytime on weekdays, themonitoring unit 123 may recognize a position having the highestfrequency of existence of the user u1 as the position of the company ofthe user u1.

Further, as another example, the monitoring unit 123 may estimate aclimate or weather around the user on the basis of information such asan air temperature, a temperature, and a barometric pressure detected byvarious sensors (for example, the sensor 131).

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a state around the useron the basis of an environmental sound collected by the sound collectiondevice (for example, microphone). As a specific example, the monitoringunit 123 may recognize density of people around the user on the basis ofa level (volume) or signal-to-noise ratio (SN ratio) of theenvironmental sound collected by the sound collection device. Further,as another example, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize whether or notan environment around the user is an environment in which the user isrequired to behave silently (is a so-called quiet environment) on thebasis of the level (volume) or SN ratio of the environmental soundcollected by the sound collection device (for example, microphone).

Further, when the monitoring unit 123 accesses an external server, themonitoring unit 123 may acquire and use information detected by anotherinformation processing device 10 (or the information processing devices30 associated with the information processing device 10) via the server.As a specific example, the monitoring unit 123 may acquire positioninformation of other users from the external server and thereforerecognize whether or not people are concentrated in the vicinity of aposition of the user u1 recognized on the basis of a detection resultobtained by the GPS (in other words, may recognize density of people).

Further, as another example, on the basis of recognized positioninformation of the user u1, the monitoring unit 123 may acquireinformation on weather in an area in which the user positions (that is,an area including the recognized position information) from the externalserver.

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may monitor operation and various kindsof information (for example, various parameters) of the informationprocessing device 10 and recognize the state of the informationprocessing device 10 on the basis of a monitoring result. In particular,among states of the information processing device 10, the monitoringunit 123 may set a state that changes in accordance with a use situationof the user as a monitoring target. As a specific example, themonitoring unit 123 may monitor a remaining quantity of a battery of theinformation processing device 10 and recognize whether or not theinformation processing device 10 is being driven by the battery on thebasis of the monitoring result.

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a predetermined state bycombining a recognition result of the state of the informationprocessing device 10, such as a result of recognizing whether or not thebattery is being charged, with another information. As a specificexample, the monitoring unit 123 may record a history of the positioninformation of the information processing device 10 obtained in a casewhere the battery is being charged and recognize a position having ahigh charging frequency as the home of the user u1 on the basis of thehistory.

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a use state of theinformation processing device 30 (that is, whether or not the user usesthe information processing device 30). As a specific example, regardingthe information processing device 30 that is temporarily stopped, i.e.,is in a so-called sleep mode, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize thatthe information processing device 30 is not used by the user.

Further, regarding the information processing device 30 such as aso-called wearable device, in a case where the monitoring unit 123 candetect a wearing state, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize whether ornot the information processing device 30 is by the user in accordancewith the wearing state. That is, in a case where the user wears theinformation processing device 30 configured as a wearable device, themonitoring unit 123 may recognize that the information processing device30 is used by the user.

Further, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize a state desired by theuser on the basis of an explicit instruction from the user. As aspecific example, in a case where the user calls the informationprocessing device 10 by voice input, the monitoring unit 123 mayrecognize that the user needs the information processing device 10 (thatis, the user attempts to carry the information processing device 10).

As described above, the monitoring unit 123 monitors various states suchas the state of the information processing device 10, the externalenvironment of the information processing device 10 (eventually, theexternal environment of the user u1), and the state (or behavior) of theuser u1 who uses the information processing device 10.

Then, the monitoring unit 123 notifies the mode controller 125 describedbelow of a monitoring result of the various states. With this, the modecontroller 125 can control the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 in accordance with the monitoring result of thevarious states transmitted as notification from the monitoring unit 123.Further, the monitoring unit 123 may notify the processing executionunit 127 described below of the monitoring result of the various states.With this, the processing execution unit 127 can recognize the variousstates on the basis of the notification from the monitoring unit 123.Note that the monitoring result transmitted as the notification from themonitoring unit 123 to the mode controller 125, that is, the variousstates such as the behavior of the user, the state of the user, and thesurrounding environment (external environment) correspond to examples of“information on a user”.

Upon receipt of notification of the monitoring result from themonitoring unit 123, the mode controller 125 controls the operation modeof the information processing device 10 in accordance with variousstates transmitted as the notification. For example, FIG. 4 is aschematic state transition diagram showing an example of a relationshipamong various operation modes of the information processing device 10according to the present embodiment. As an example of the relationshipamong the various operation modes of the information processing device10, the example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example of a relationship amonga carry mode c11, a drive mode c13, and a stand-by mode c15.

The carry mode c11 shows an operation mode in which the user carries theinformation processing device 10. In a case where the mode controller125 recognizes that a state in which the information processing device10 is carried by the user is desirable on the basis of a monitoringresult transmitted as notification from the monitoring unit 123, themode controller 125 causes the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 to transition to the carry mode c11.

As a specific example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes behavior in which the user leaves home, the mode controller125 causes the operation mode of the information processing device 10 totransition to the carry mode c11 so as to realize a state in which theinformation processing device 10 is carried by the user.

Further, as another example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes that the user desires to carry the information processingdevice 10 on the basis of an explicit instruction from the user (forexample, voice input by the user), the mode controller 125 may cause theoperation mode of the information processing device 10 to transition tothe carry mode c11.

When the information processing device 10 transitions to the carry modecl11, the information processing device 10 moves to a positiondetermined in advance to cause the user to carry the informationprocessing device 10, such as a part of the body (body part) of theuser, and is held in the position as described above with reference to,for example, FIG. 1.

The drive mode c13 is an operation mode in which the informationprocessing device 10 moves by driving the drive unit 17. In a case wherethe mode controller 125 recognizes that a state in which the informationprocessing device 10 separates from the user and moves by driving thedrive unit 17 is desirable on the basis of a monitoring resulttransmitted as the notification from the monitoring unit 123, the modecontroller 125 causes the operation mode of the information processingdevice 10 to transition to the drive mode c13.

As a specific example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes that the body of the user is largely vibrated as in the caseof running and therefore it is difficult to hold the informationprocessing device 10 in a part of the body of the user, the modecontroller 125 may cause the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 to transition to the drive mode c13. In this case,for example, the information processing device 10 may temporarilyseparate from the user and move to follow the user by driving the driveunit 17.

Note that, in a case where the information processing device 10transitions to the drive mode c13, the information processing device 10may autonomously move on the basis of, for example, an instruction fromthe user acquired in advance or a recognized surrounding state. Further,as another example, the information processing device 10 may becontrolled to move on the basis of operation from the user via theoperation device.

The stand-by mode c15 is a mode in which the information processingdevice 10 separates from the user and stands by at a position thatsatisfies a predetermined condition (in other words, is held in theposition). In a case where the mode controller 125 recognizes that astate in which the information processing device 10 separates from theuser (that is, in a state in which the information processing device 10is not carried by the user) and stands by at another position isdesirable on the basis of the monitoring result transmitted as thenotification from the monitoring unit 123, the mode controller 125causes the operation mode of the information processing device 10 totransition to the stand-by mode c15.

As a specific example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes that the user who carries the information processing device10 returns home, the mode controller 125 causes the operation mode ofthe information processing device 10 to transition to the stand-by modec15.

In a case where the information processing device 10 transitions to thestand-by mode c15, the information processing device 10 detects aposition that satisfies a condition in which the information processingdevice 10 itself can stand by, moves to the detected position, andstands by thereat. As a specific example, the information processingdevice 10 detects a charging stand for charging a battery, moves to thecharging stand, and stands by thereat. Further, as another example, theinformation processing device 10 may detect a position, which isdifferent from a position at which the user carries the informationprocessing device 10 (for example, a part of the body of the user) andsatisfies a condition in which the information processing device 10 cantemporarily stand by (a flat position such as a position on a top of atable), move to the position, and stand by thereat.

Note that the mode controller 125 only needs to recognize acorresponding relationship between various states transmitted as thenotification from the monitoring unit 123 and various operation modes ofthe information processing device 10 on the basis of, for example, datagenerated in advance (for example, lookup table). Note that a locationin which the data is stored is not particularly limited as long as themode controller 125 can read out the data. As a specific example, dataindicating the corresponding relationship between the various states andthe various operation modes may be stored in advance on a storage unitin the information processing device 10. Further, as another example,the data may be stored on an external device different from theinformation processing device 10, such as a server. In this case, theinformation processing device 10 only needs to establish communicationwith the external device and acquire the data stored on the externaldevice via the communication.

Then, the mode controller 125 causes the processing execution unit 127to execute a function (for example, application) in accordance with theoperation mode after control in accordance with a control result of theoperation mode of the information processing device 10.

Further, whether or not the information processing device 10 cantransition to an operation mode specified as a transition destination onthe basis of one or more of various states transmitted as thenotification from the monitoring unit 123 may be determined by the modecontroller 125 on the basis of another one of the various statestransmitted as the notification.

As a specific example, the mode controller 125 is assumed to specify thecarry mode c11 as the operation mode serving as the transitiondestination on the basis of a detection result of behavior in which theuser moves to the outside, the detection result being transmitted as thenotification from the monitoring unit 123. At this time, the modecontroller 125 may determine whether or not the information processingdevice 10 can move to a position at which the user exists (for example,entrance) on the basis of another state transmitted as the notificationfrom the monitoring unit 123 and determine whether or not theinformation processing device 10 can transition to the carry mode c11 onthe basis of the determination result. For example, in a case where themode controller 125 recognizes that the remaining quantity of thebattery of the information processing device 10 is small, the modecontroller 125 may recognize that it is difficult for the informationprocessing device 10 to move to the position at which the user existsand, as a result, may determine that it is difficult to transition tothe carry mode c11.

Further, in a case where the mode controller 125 determines that it isdifficult to transition to an operation mode specified as the transitiondestination, the mode controller 125 may stop control regarding thetransition to the specified operation mode. Further, at this time, themode controller 125 may inform the user that the transition to thespecified operation mode is stopped (in other words, it is difficult totransition to the specified operation mode) via the output unit 16.

The processing execution unit 127 is a configuration for executingvarious functions of the information processing device 10. Upon receiptof an instruction from the mode controller 125, the processing executionunit 127 executes a function corresponding to the instruction. Notethat, at this time, the processing execution unit 127 may controloperation of at least one of the detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14,the output unit 16, and the drive unit 17 in accordance with executionof the function corresponding to the instruction from the modecontroller 125. Further, at this time, the processing execution unit 127may acquire a monitoring result of various states from the monitoringunit 123. With this, the processing execution unit 127 can alsorecognize various states on the basis of a monitoring result transmittedas the notification from the monitoring unit 123 and control operationof at least one of the detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14, theoutput unit 16, and the drive unit 17 in accordance with the recognizedstates.

As a specific example, the operation mode of the information processingdevice 10 is assumed to transition from the stand-by mode cl5 to thecarry mode c11. In this case, the processing execution unit 127 movesthe information processing device 10 to the position p11 set to causethe user u1 to carry the information processing device 10 by, forexample, controlling operation of the imaging unit 14 and the drive unit17.

Specifically, the processing execution unit 127 causes the imaging unit14 to capture an image of surroundings of the information processingdevice 10 and acquires, from the monitoring unit 123, a monitoringresult (in other words, detection result) of the state of the user u1(for example, a position of the user u1) based on the image. Further, atthis time, the processing execution unit 127 may acquire, from themonitoring unit 123, the monitoring result of the state of the user u1based on a detection result obtained by the detection unit 13 or adetection result obtained by a detection unit 33 of the informationprocessing device 30. Then, the processing execution unit 127 detectsthe position p11 on the basis of the monitoring result of the state ofthe user u1 acquired from the monitoring unit 123 and moves theinformation processing device 10 to the detected position p11 by drivingthe drive unit 17.

Further, as another example, the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 is assumed to transition from the carry mode c11 tothe stand-by mode c15. In this case, the processing execution unit 127detects a position that satisfies a predetermined condition in which theinformation processing device 10 stands by (for example, the chargingstand 70) and moves the information processing device 10 to the positionby, for example, controlling operation of the imaging unit 14 and thedrive unit 17.

Further, as another example, the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 is assumed to transition from the carry mode c11 tothe drive mode cl3. In this case, the processing execution unit 127separates the information processing device 10 from the user and causesthe information processing device 10 to transition to a movable state bycontrolling operation of the drive unit 17 and thereafter controlsoperation regarding movement of the information processing device 10.

Note that, at this time, how the processing execution unit 127 moves theinformation processing device 10 (that is, the content of control of theoperation regarding the movement of the information processing device10) is not particularly limited. As a specific example, the processingexecution unit 127 may determine the content of the control of theoperation regarding the movement of the information processing device 10on the basis of, for example, an instruction from the user such as voiceinput. Further, as another example, the processing execution unit 127may recognize various states (for example, a state of the user, a stateof the information processing device 10, and an environment around theinformation processing device 10) on the basis of a monitoring resulttransmitted as the notification from the monitoring unit 123 and controloperation of the information processing device 10 in accordance with arecognition result.

(Information Processing Device 30)

Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device30 will be described. The information processing device 30 includes acommunication unit 31, a controller 32, and the detection unit 33.

The communication unit 31 is an interface through which eachconfiguration of the information processing device 30 (for example, eachconfiguration of the controller 32) transmits/receives informationto/from another information processing device (for example, theinformation processing device 10 or another information processingdevice 30) connected via the network N1. Note that, as described above,the form of the network N1 is not particularly limited as long as theinformation processing device 30 and another information processingdevice can transmit/receive information to/from each other. Further, inthe following description, in a case where each configuration of theinformation processing device 30 transmits/receives information to/fromthe another information processing device via the network N1, theinformation is transmitted/received via the communication unit 31 evenin a case where particular description is not provided.

The detection unit 33 can include a configuration that acquires variouskinds of information for recognizing at least one of a state of theinformation processing device 30, an external environment of theinformation processing device 30, and a state of the user u1 who usesthe information processing device 30. As a specific example, thedetection unit 33, as well as the detection unit 13 of the informationprocessing device 10 described above, may include at least one of thesensor 131 and the position detection unit 133.

The controller 32 includes a communication controller 321 and anassociation processing unit 323.

The communication controller 321 is a configuration for controllingoperation of the communication unit 31. The communication controller 321executes a predetermined communication protocol with an externalinformation processing device 10 connected via the network N1, therebyestablishing communication with the external information processingdevice.

The association processing unit 323 operates on the basis of aninstruction from the external information processing device 10.Specifically, the association processing unit 323 transmits informationacquired by the detection unit 33 to the information processing device10 in response to the instruction from the external informationprocessing device 10.

Note that the functional configurations of the information processingdevices 10 and 30 described above are merely examples and are notnecessarily limited to the above configurations. As a specific example,at least a part of the configuration of the controller 12 (for example,one or more of the monitoring unit 123, the mode controller 125, and theprocessing execution unit 127) may be provided on the outside of theinformation processing device 10 (for example, server). In such a case,for example, at least a part of the configuration of the controller 12may be provided in a terminal carried by the user u1 and the terminalmay control operation of the information processing device 10 viawireless communication.

Hereinabove, an example of the functional configuration of the system towhich the information processing device 10 according to the presentembodiment is applied, in particular, an example of the functionalconfigurations of the information processing devices 10 and 30 has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

3. PROCESSING

Next, an example of a series of operation of the information processingdevice 10 according to the present embodiment, in particular, operationin which the information processing device 10 controls the operationmode and executes various functions in accordance with the operationmode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchartshowing an example of the series of operation of the informationprocessing device 10 according to the present embodiment.

(Step S101)

When the information processing device 10 starts operation by, forexample, turning on a power supply, the information processing device 10first sets an operation mode in an initial state. At this time, theinformation processing device 10 may set the operation mode of theinformation processing device 10 itself to an operation mode determinedin advance (for example, the stand-by mode c15). Further, an exclusiveoperation mode showing the initial state, which is different from thevarious operation modes shown in FIG. 4 (that is, the carry mode c11,the drive mode c13, and the stand-by mode c15), may be set.

(Step S103)

When setting of the operation mode in the initial state is completed,the monitoring unit 123 of the information processing device 10 startsacquiring various kinds of information acquired by at least one of theconfigurations of the detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14, andanother information processing device 30 from the one of theconfigurations. Note that, at this time, the information processingdevice 10 may establish communication with the another informationprocessing device 30 and acquire the various kinds of information fromthe information processing device 30 via the communication.

Then, the monitoring unit 123 starts operation regarding monitoring ofvarious states such as behavior of the user, a state of the user, and asurrounding environment (external environment) by using, as inputinformation, the various kinds of information acquired by the one ormore of the configurations of the detection unit 13, the imaging unit14, and the another information processing device 30.

As a specific example, the monitoring unit 123 may recognize the stateof the user and the behavior of the user on the basis of the so-calledbehavior recognition technique by using the acquired various kinds ofinformation as the input information. Further, as another example, themonitoring unit 123 may recognize the external environment of theinformation processing device 10 (in other words, an externalenvironment of the user who uses the information processing device 10)on the basis of the acquired various kinds of information. Further, atthis time, the monitoring unit 123 may access an external server tomonitor the various states by using information acquired from theserver.

As described above, the monitoring unit 123 monitors the various statessuch as the state of the information processing device 10, the externalenvironment of the information processing device 10 (eventually, theexternal environment of the user), and the state (or behavior) of theuser who uses the information processing device 10. Then, the monitoringunit 123 notifies the mode controller 125 of a monitoring result of thevarious states.

(Step S200)

In a case where the mode controller 125 detects a predetermined state onthe basis of notification of the monitoring result from the monitoringunit 123 (Step S105, YES), the mode controller 125 controls theoperation mode of the information processing device 10 in accordancewith the detected state.

Herein, an example of operation regarding mode control of theinformation processing device 10 will be described with reference toFIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the series ofoperation of the information processing device 10 according to thepresent embodiment and particularly shows an example of operation inwhich the information processing device 10 controls the operation modeand executes various functions in accordance with the operation mode.

(Step S201)

The mode controller 125 specifies an operation mode serving as thetransition destination by comparing, for example, data indicating thestate transmitted as the notification from the monitoring unit 123 witha corresponding relationship between various states and variousoperation modes.

As a specific example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes behavior in which the user moves to the outside on the basisof the notification of the monitoring result from the monitoring unit123, the mode controller 125 specifies the carry mode c11 as thetransition destination of the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10.

Further, as another example, in a case where the mode controller 125recognizes that the user who carries the information processing device10 returns home on the basis of the notification of the monitoringresult from the monitoring unit 123, the mode controller 125 specifiesthe stand-by mode c15 as the transition destination of the operationmode of the information processing device 10.

(Step S203) When the operation mode serving as the transitiondestination is specified, the mode controller 125 may determine whetheror not the information processing device 10 can transition to theoperation mode specified as the transition destination on the basis ofthe notification of the monitoring result from the monitoring unit 123.

(Step S207) In a case where the mode controller 125 determines that itis difficult to transition to the operation mode specified as thetransition destination (Step S203, NO), the mode controller 125 stopscontrol regarding transition to the specified operation mode. Further,at this time, the mode controller 125 may inform the user that thetransition to the specified operation mode is stopped (in other words,it is difficult to transition to the specified operation mode) via theoutput unit 16.

(Step S205)

In a case where the mode controller 125 determines that the transitionto the operation mode specified as the transition destination can beperformed (Step S203, YES), the mode controller 125 causes the operationmode of the information processing device 10 to transition to thespecified operation mode. Then, the mode controller 125 causes theprocessing execution unit 127 to execute a function (for example,application) in accordance with the operation mode after control inaccordance with a control result of the operation mode of theinformation processing device 10. Upon receipt of an instruction fromthe mode controller 125, the processing execution unit 127 executes afunction in accordance with the instruction.

As a specific example, the operation mode of the information processingdevice 10 is assumed to transition from the stand-by mode c15 to thecarry mode c11. In this case, the processing execution unit 127 movesthe information processing device 10 to the position p11 set to causethe user u1 to carry the information processing device 10 by, forexample, controlling operation of the imaging unit 14 and the drive unit17.

Further, as another example, the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 is assumed to transition from the carry mode c11 tothe stand-by mode c15. In this case, the processing execution unit 127detects a position that satisfies a predetermined condition in which theinformation processing device 10 stands by (for example, the chargingstand 70) and moves the information processing device 10 to the positionby, for example, controlling operation of the imaging unit 14 and thedrive unit 17.

Hereinabove, an example of the operation regarding the mode control ofthe information processing device 10 has been described with referenceto FIG. 6. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, it is needless to say that,unless a predetermined state is detected on the basis of thenotification of the monitoring result from the monitoring unit 123 (StepS105, NO), the mode controller 125 and the processing execution unit 127do not need to execute the series of operation that has been describedwith reference to FIG. 6.

(Step S107)

As described above, until an instruction to terminate the series ofprocessing is performed, various states are continuously monitored bythe monitoring unit 123, and the operation mode of the informationprocessing device 10 is controlled by the mode controller 125 inaccordance with the monitoring result (Step S107, NO).

(Step S109)

Then, when the monitoring unit 123 receives an instruction ontermination of the processing, such as turning off the power supply, themonitoring unit 123 terminates operation regarding monitoring thevarious states (for example, operation regarding acquisition ofinformation from the detection unit 13, the imaging unit 14, and theanother information processing device 30 and recognition of the variousstates based on the acquired information).

Hereinabove, an example of the series of operation of the informationprocessing device 10 according to the present embodiment, in particular,the operation in which the information processing device 10 controls theoperation mode and executes various functions in accordance with theoperation mode has been described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

4. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES

Next, modification examples of the system to which the informationprocessing device 10 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is applied will be described.

4.1. Modification Example 1: Example of Operation in Carry Mode

First, as Modification example 1, an example of the operation of theinformation processing device 10 performed in a case where theinformation processing device 10 transitions to the carry mode c11 willbe described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view fordescribing an outline of the operation of the information processingdevice 10 according to Modification example 1.

In the embodiment described above, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 transitions to the carry mode c11, the informationprocessing device 10 moves to the position p11 set in advance to causethe user u1 to carry the information processing device 10 and is held inthe position p11 as shown in FIG. 1.

Meanwhile, in a case where the information processing device 10transitions to the carry mode c11, a plurality of candidates for aposition in which the information processing device 10 is held may beprovided. For example, in an example shown in FIG. 7, positions p11 top17 are set as the candidates for the position in which the informationprocessing device 10 is held. Note that the candidates for the positionin which the information processing device 10 is held may be set toparts of the body of the user u1, as denoted by the positions p11 top15, and may be set to a part of a possession of the user u1, such as abag, as denoted by the position p17. Note that, in a case where acandidate for the position in which the information processing device 10is held is set to a part of the possession of the user u1, for example,a beacon or marker is placed on the possession and therefore theinformation processing device 10 only needs to recognize the beacon ormarker as the candidate for the position in which the informationprocessing device 10 itself is held.

As described above, in a case where the plurality of candidates for theposition in which the information processing device 10 is held are set,the information processing device 10 may select a position in which theinformation processing device 10 itself is held from the positions p11to p17 in accordance with various states such as recognized behavior ofthe user, a recognized state of the user, and a recognized surroundingenvironment (external environment). Specifically, a plurality ofdifferent modes are preferably set as the carry mode c11, and each modeand a state corresponding to the carry mode c11 among the various statesare preferably associated in advance. With this, the informationprocessing device 10 only needs to determine which mode among theplurality of modes set as the carry mode c11 the information processingdevice 10 transitions to in accordance with a recognized state.

As a more specific example, the information processing device 10 maydetermine a position in which the information processing device 10itself is held in accordance with a recognized posture of a user. Forexample, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for describing an outline ofoperation of the information processing device 10 according toModification example 1 and shows an example where the informationprocessing device 10 determines a position in which the informationprocessing device 10 is held in accordance with a posture of a user.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, a posture of a user u2 is a state inwhich the user u2 bends over at the waist. With this posture, forexample, in a case where the information processing device 10 is held ina position p21 set in the vicinity of a shoulder of the user u2, theinformation processing device 10 is held while being inclined withrespect to a horizontal plane, which is not necessarily a stable state.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 recognizes that the user u2 bends over at thewaist, the information processing device 10 may determine, as a positionin which the information processing device 10 itself is held, a positionp23 set on a back of the user u2 as a position in which the informationprocessing device 10 is held in a more horizontal state. That is, insuch a case, it is only necessary to set a plurality of modescorresponding to postures of the user as the carry mode c11 andassociate a position in which the information processing device 10 isheld with each of the modes in advance.

Note that a position in which the information processing device 10 isheld is preferably set in accordance with a mechanism for holding theinformation processing device 10 or a use purpose of the informationprocessing device 10. As a specific example, when the informationprocessing device 10 is held in a position close to a head part of theuser, such as a part in the vicinity of a shoulder of the user, theinformation processing device 10 can acquire information that is moresimilar to a bodily sensation of the user (for example, videoinformation visually recognized by the user). Further, when, among bodyparts of the user, a position whose movement is comparatively small whenthe user moves (in other words, a position at which a posture of theinformation processing device 10 is more stable) is set as the positionin which the information processing device 10 is held, it is possible toreduce an influence of a vibration or the like caused by movement of theuser in a case where the information processing device 10 acquiresvarious kinds of information.

Further, in a case where the operation mode transitions between aplurality of modes set as the carry mode c11, the information processingdevice 10 may operate in accordance with a mode after transition so thatthe position in which the information processing device 10 itself isheld is changed. As a specific example, in a state in which the userbends over at the waist, the information processing device 10 moves to aposition set on the back and is held therein, and thereafter, when theinformation processing device 10 detects that the user stands up and isin an upright stance, the information processing device 10 may move to aposition set in the vicinity of the shoulder and be held therein.

Further, as long as operation of the information processing device 10can be switched in accordance with a mode serving as a transitiondestination among the plurality of modes set as the carry mode c11, aswitching target is not limited to the position in which the informationprocessing device 10 is held. For example, the information processingdevice 10 may control a state in which the information processing device10 itself is held, such as a posture in which the information processingdevice 10 itself is held or a form of the information processing device10 itself, in accordance with various states such as recognized behaviorof the user, a recognized state of the user, and a recognizedsurrounding environment (external environment).

As a specific example, in a case where the information processing device10 transitions to the carry mode c11 and is therefore held in a part ofthe body of the user, the information processing device 10 may control aposture thereof on the basis of a recognized state (for example,posture) of the user so as to face in the same direction as a directionof a line of sight of the user. Note that, at this time, the informationprocessing device 10 may control a direction of the informationprocessing device 10 itself so as to face in the same direction as thedirection of the line of sight of the user. Further, the informationprocessing device 10 may perform control so that the informationprocessing device 10 itself (or one or more components thereof and thelike) is inclined or is in an upright stance in accordance with a changein the posture of the user. Note that, in this case, it is onlynecessary to set, as the carry mode c11, a plurality of modescorresponding to the posture of the user and the position in which theinformation processing device 10 is held and associate the posture ofthe information processing device 10 with each of the modes.

Further, as another example, the information processing device 10 maycontrol a form of the information processing device 10 itself by, forexample, modifying a part of the configuration, such as a structure forholding the information processing device 10 itself. In such a case, theinformation processing device 10 may control the form of the informationprocessing device 10 itself in accordance with the position in which theinformation processing device 10 itself is held so that, when theinformation processing device 10 transitions to the carry mode c11 andis therefore held in a part of the body of the user, the informationprocessing device 10 is held more stably.

Note that, not only regarding the carry mode c11 but also regardinganother operation mode, a plurality of different modes may be set.

As a specific example, as the stand-by mode c15, a mode for standing byon the charging stand 70 and a mode for temporarily standing by at aflat position such as a position on a top of a table may be set. In sucha case, for example, in a case where the information processing device10 recognizes that the user returns home, the information processingdevice 10 may move to the charging stand 70 and stand by thereon.Further, as another example, in a case where the information processingdevice 10 detects a state in which the user sits at a place where theuser visits (for example, a state in which the user sits at a table in arestaurant) and the state continues for a certain time or more, theinformation processing device 10 may detect a position at which theinformation processing device 10 can temporarily stand by, move to thedetected position, and stand by thereat.

Hereinabove, as Modification example 1, an example of the operation ofthe information processing device 10 performed in a case where theinformation processing device 10 transitions to the carry mode c11 hasbeen described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

4.2. Modification Example 2: Example of Control in Accordance with User

Next, as Modification example 2, an example where, in a situation inwhich the information processing device 10 is shared by a plurality ofusers, the information processing device 10 recognizes each user andswitches control in accordance with the recognized user will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view fordescribing an outline of the operation of the information processingdevice 10 according to Modification example 2.

In an example shown in FIG. 9, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 identifies and recognizes the user u1 and the useru2 on the basis of a so-called individual recognition technique andtransitions to the carry mode c11 in accordance with the recognizeduser, the information processing device 10 switches the position inwhich the information processing device 10 itself is held.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that, in acase where each of the users u1 and u2 moves while carrying theinformation processing device 10, the user u1 moves in an upright stancein many cases and the user u2 moves while bending over at the waist inmany cases. In such a situation, for example, in a case where theinformation processing device 10 recognizes that a user who carries theinformation processing device 10 itself is the “user u1”, theinformation processing device 10 moves to the position p11 set in thevicinity of the shoulder of the user u1 and is held in the position p11.Meanwhile, in a case where the information processing device 10recognizes that a user who carries the information processing device 10itself is the “user u2”, the information processing device 10 moves tothe position p23 set on the back of the user u2 and is held in theposition p23.

Note that a configuration or system for recognizing an individual is notparticularly limited as long as the information processing device 10 canrecognize an individual user. As a specific example, the informationprocessing device 10 may recognize an individual user on the basis of aphysical characteristic of the user (for example, a part of a body, suchas a face, or the whole body) by using an image of the user captured bythe imaging unit 14 as input information, as in the case of a so-calledface recognition technique. Further, the information processing device10 may estimate information inherent to the user, such as an age and asex of the user, and identify an individual user on the basis of theestimation result. Further, as another example, the informationprocessing device 10 may recognize the individual user on the basis ofvoice of the user collected by a sound collection device (for example,microphone). Note that the information inherent to the user, which isused by the information processing device 10 to identify an individualuser, may be information set by the user in advance (that is,information that is explicitly input by the user) or may be informationbased on a recognition result obtained by the information processingdevice 10 (in other words, information that is not explicitly input bythe user).

Further, the information processing device 10 may indirectly determineeach user on the basis of data registered in advance. As a specificexample, the information processing device 10 may refer to dataindicating schedules of a plurality of users registered in advance andestimate a user having a high probability of carrying the informationprocessing device 10 itself in the current state on the basis of theschedules.

Further, in a case where information for identifying an individual user(for example, name of the user) is detected on the basis of acquiredvideo information or sound information, the information processingdevice 10 may estimate a user who carries the information processingdevice 10 itself on the basis of the detected information. Further, theinformation processing device 10 may acquire information for identifyingan individual user (for example, information stored on an electronic tagor the like) from a terminal possessed by the user and identify a userwho carries the information processing device 10 itself on the basis ofthe acquired information.

Further, the example shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and operationregarding switching of control in accordance with a recognition resultof a user at the time of transition to the carry mode c11, the operationbeing performed by the information processing device 10, is notnecessarily limited only to a holding position of the informationprocessing device 10. For example, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 can propose various kinds of information to a user,the information processing device 10 may perform control so that thecontent of proposition is switched in accordance with the recognizeduser's taste.

Hereinabove, as Modification example 2, an example where, in a situationin which the information processing device 10 is shared by a pluralityof users, the information processing device 10 recognizes each user andswitches control in accordance with the recognized user has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

4.3. Modification Example 3: Example where a Plurality of InformationProcessing Devices are Associated

Next, as Modification example 3, an example of operation of a pluralityof information processing devices 10 in a situation in which a usercarries the information processing devices 10 will be described withreference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for describing anoutline of the operation of the information processing device 10according to Modification example 3. In an example shown in FIG. 10, theuser u1 carries, for example, information processing devices 10 a and 10b as a plurality of different information processing devices 10.

Note that a specific example of a situation in which the user u1 carriesthe plurality of information processing devices 10 is, for example, acase where the user u1 carries information processing devices 10 havingdifferent executable functions or properties of various functions. As amore specific example, it is possible to expect a case where, when theuser u1 properly uses the information processing devices 10 inaccordance with a situation or use purpose, such as work or private, theuser u1 carries the plurality of information processing devices 10 eachof which can execute a function specialized in accordance with thesituation or use purpose.

Further, as another example, the user u1 may carry a plurality ofinformation processing devices 10 that perform control differently onthe basis of recognized various states (for example, have differentdetermination criteria of a function executed in accordance with arecognized state). As a more specific example, it is possible to expecta case where the user u1 carries both the information processing device10 that determines a function executed in accordance with the user u1'staste and the information processing device 10 that determines afunction executed in accordance with a health condition of the user u1.

As a matter of course, the situation described above is a merely anexample and does not limit a state or situation in which the user u1carries the plurality of information processing devices 10.

As described above, in a situation in which the user u1 carries theplurality of information processing devices 10, each of the plurality ofinformation processing devices 10 may switch control in accordance witha state of another information processing device 10.

For example, the example shown in FIG. 10 shows a state in which theinformation processing device 10 b whose operation mode has transitionedto the carry mode c11 is held in the position p11 set in the vicinity ofa left shoulder of the user u1. In such a situation, an operation modeof the information processing device 10 a is assumed to transition tothe carry mode c11.

In such a case, the information processing device 10 a may recognizethat the information processing device 10 b is held in the position p11on the basis of, for example, an image of the user u1 captured by theimaging unit 14 and determine a position in which the informationprocessing device 10 a itself is held in accordance with a recognitionresult. As a specific example, in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 a recognizes that the information processing device10 b is held in the position p11, the information processing device 10 amay specify a position other than the position p11 among the positionp11 to position p17 as the position in which the information processingdevice 10 a itself is held (that is, a position at which the informationprocessing device 10 a itself is carried).

Note that, as long as the information processing devices 10 a and 10 bcan recognize a state of the other device, a configuration or method forrecognizing the state is not particularly limited. As a specificexample, the information processing devices 10 a and 10 b may recognizethe state of the other device by establishing communication andtransmitting/receiving information on the basis of the communication.

Further, different conditions may be set in the information processingdevices 10 a and 10 b as a condition for transitioning to at least oneoperation mode among the carry mode c11, the stand-by mode c15, and thedrive mode c13. As a specific example, in a situation in which the useru1 moves to the outside, the information processing device 10 a maytransition to the carry mode c11 in a case of weekdays and theinformation processing device 10 b may transition to the carry mode c11in a case of holidays.

Further, the information processing devices 10 a and 10 b may havedifferent configurations of the drive units 17 for moving theinformation processing devices 10 a and 10 b themselves. In thoseconfigurations, each of the information processing devices 10 a and 10 bmay determine a position in which the information processing device 10 aor 10 b itself is held in a case where the information processing device10 a or 10 b transitions to the carry mode c11 in accordance with theconfiguration of the drive unit 17 of the information processing device10 a or 10 b itself or may determine the position in accordance with theconfiguration of the drive unit 17 of the other information processingdevice 10.

As a specific example, it is assumed that the drive unit 17 isconfigured so that the information processing device 10 a moves byflying and the drive unit 17 is configured so that the informationprocessing device 10 b moves by running on a ground. At this time, onthe basis of, for example, the configuration of the drive unit 17 of theinformation processing device 10 b, the information processing device 10a may recognize, among a plurality of positions set to cause the user u1to carry the information processing device 10, a position close to feetof the user u1 as the position in which the information processingdevice 10 b is held. That is, in this case, the information processingdevice 10 a may exclude the position close to the feet of the user u1from candidates for the position in which the information processingdevice 10 a itself is held.

Hereinabove, as Modification example 3, an example of the operation ofthe plurality of information processing devices 10 in a situation inwhich the user carries the information processing devices 10 has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 10.

5. EXAMPLES

Next, as Examples, examples of control of the operation mode inaccordance with various detected states, the control being performed bythe information processing device 10, will be described together withexamples of a specific use scene.

[Control Example of Operation Mode in Accordance with Situation]

First, an example where the information processing device 10 recognizesa situation in which the information processing device 10 itself is usedand controls the operation mode in accordance with the recognizedsituation will be described. Specifically, the information processingdevice 10 may recognize whether or not a state in which the user carriesthe information processing device 10 itself is preferable in accordancewith the recognized situation and control the operation mode inaccordance with a recognition result.

For example, in a situation in which the user enters a shop at which adress code is set, there is a case where a state in which theinformation processing device 10 is held in a part of the body (forexample, shoulder) of the user is not preferable because of the dresscode.

In a case where the information processing device 10 recognizes such asituation, the information processing device 10 may operate so as tocause the operation mode to transition to the stand-by mode c15 toseparate from the user, detect a position at which the informationprocessing device 10 itself can stand by, and stand by at the position.In this case, in a case where the information processing device 10detects that the user leaves the shop, the information processing device10 may operate so as to cause the operation mode to transition to thecarry mode c11 again and be held in a part of the body of the user.

Further, as another example, in a case where the information processingdevice 10 recognizes a situation in which a state in which theinformation processing device 10 itself is held in a part of the body ofthe user is not preferable, the information processing device 10 mayoperate so as to change a place in which the information processingdevice 10 itself is held to a part of a possession of the user.

Note that a configuration or method in which the information processingdevice 10 recognizes the above situation in which a state in which theinformation processing device 10 itself is held in a part of the body ofthe user is not preferable is not particularly limited.

As a specific example, a device for transmitting (distributing)information indicating the content of the dress code to the informationprocessing device 10 may be placed in the shop. In such a case, theinformation processing device 10 may recognize a situation in which astate in which the information processing device 10 itself is held in apart of the body of the user is not preferable on the basis of theinformation distributed from the device.

Further, as another example, information for allowing the informationprocessing device 10 to recognize the content of the dress code, such asa marker, may be presented in the shop. In such a case, the informationprocessing device 10 may detect the marker presented by the shop on thebasis of, for example, an image captured by the imaging unit 14 andrecognize a situation in which a state in which the informationprocessing device 10 itself is held in a part of the body of the user isnot preferable on the basis of the detected marker. Further, theinformation is not limited to the marker and the like, and, for example,the information processing device 10 may recognize the content of thedress code by causing the imaging unit 14 to capture an image of a noteregarding the dress code placed in the shop and analyzing the capturedimage of the note.

Further, as another example, the information processing device 10 mayaccess an external server or the like to acquire information on a shopthat the user attempts to enter and recognize a situation in which astate in which the information processing device 10 itself is held in apart of the body of the user is not preferable on the basis of theacquired information. In such a case, for example, the informationprocessing device 10 may specify the shop on the basis of positioninformation acquired by the GPS or the like, an image captured by theimaging unit 14, or the like.

[Control Example of Operation Mode Based on External Environment]

Next, an example where the information processing device 10 recognizesan external environment (for example, an external environment of theinformation processing device 10 itself or the user) and controls theoperation mode in accordance with the recognized external environmentwill be described. Specifically, the information processing device 10may recognize weather in an area in which the information processingdevice 10 itself positions and control the operation mode in accordancewith the recognized weather.

For example, in a case where the information processing device 10recognizes that the weather is rainy, the information processing device10 may detect a position at which the information processing device 10itself is hardly wet and move to the detected position. As a specificexample, in a case where the information processing device 10 recognizesthat the user holds an umbrella, the information processing device 10may move to a position in the vicinity of an arm or shoulder on the sideon which the umbrella is held.

Note that a method in which the information processing device 10recognizes weather in an area in which the information processing device10 itself positions has been described above. That is, the informationprocessing device 10 may estimate weather in the area in which theinformation processing device 10 itself positions on the basis of, forexample, information such as an air temperature, a temperature, and abarometric pressure detected by various sensors. Further, as anotherexample, on the basis of recognized position information of the user,the information processing device 10 may acquire information on weatherin the area in which the information processing device 10 itself (oruser) positions (that is, an area including the recognized positioninformation) from an external server. As a matter of course, as long asthe information processing device 10 can recognize weather in the areain which the information processing device 10 itself positions, aconfiguration or method for the recognition is not particularly limited.

[Control Example where Drive Mode is Caused to Transition to AnotherMode]

Next, an example of control performed in a case where the informationprocessing device 10 that is operating (moving) in the drive mode c13 iscaused to transition to the carry mode c11 or the stand-by mode c15 willbe described.

As a specific example, in a case where the information processing device10 recognizes reduction in the remaining quantity of the battery whileoperating in the drive mode c13 upon receipt of an instruction from theuser, the information processing device 10 may cause the operation modeof the information processing device 10 itself to transition to anotheroperation mode in order to charge the battery.

In such a case, for example, the information processing device 10 maycharge the battery by causing the operation mode to transition to thestand-by mode c15, detecting the charging stand 70, and moving to thedetected charging stand 70.

Further, as another example, a configuration for charging the battery ofthe information processing device 10 may be provided at a position inwhich the information processing device 10 is held in the carry mode c11(for example, a part of the body of the user). As a specific example, ina use form in which the user wears a unit for holding the informationprocessing device 10 in a part of the body of the user, a mechanism forcharging the battery of the information processing device 10 only needsto be provided in the unit.

In such a case, the information processing device 10 only needs tocharge the battery by causing the operation mode to transition to thecarry mode c11, detecting a position at which the battery of theinformation processing device 10 itself can be charged, and moving tothe detected position.

Further, as another example, in a case where a free space of a storagearea of data provided in the information processing device 10 itself isreduced, the information processing device 10 may cause the operationmode of the information processing device 10 itself to transition toanother operation mode in order to transfer the data stored in thestorage area to another device (for example, server).

In such a case, for example, the information processing device 10 mayaccess a server and transfer data by causing the operation mode totransition to the stand-by mode c15, detecting a position at which aninterface that can access the server is provided, and moving to theposition. Note that examples of the interface that can access a serverencompass a connector to be connected to the server, a communicationdevice for communicating with the server, and the like.

Further, as another example, the interface that can access a server maybe provided at a position in which the information processing device 10is held in the carry mode c11 (for example, a part of the body of theuser).

In such a case, the information processing device 10 may access a serverand transfer data by causing the operation mode to transition to thecarry mode c11, detecting a position at which the interface that canaccess the server is provided, and moving to the detected position.

Hereinabove, as Examples, examples of control of the operation mode inaccordance with various detected states, the control being performed bythe information processing device 10, have been described together withexamples of a specific use scene.

6. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION

Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the informationprocessing device 10 according to each embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is adiagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of theinformation processing device 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 11, the information processing device 10 according tothe present embodiment includes a processor 901, a memory 903, a storage905, an operation device 907, an informing device 911, a communicationdevice 913, a detection device 915, an imaging device 917, and a bus919.

The processor 901 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a system onchip (SoC), for example, and performs various processes of theinformation processing device 10. For example, the processor 901 may beconfigured as an electronic circuit for performing various arithmeticprocesses. Further, the configuration of the aforementioned controller12 may be realized by the processor 901.

The memory 903 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read onlymemory (ROM) and stores programs executed by the processor 901 and data.The storage 905 may include a storage medium such as a semiconductormemory or a hard disk.

The operation device 907 has a function of generating an input signalfor performing a desired operation of a user. The operation device 907may be configured as a touch panel, for example. As another example, theoperation device 907 may be composed of an input unit through which theuser inputs information, for example, a button, a switch and the like,an input control circuit that generates an input signal on the basis ofinput from the user and provides the input signal to the processor 901and the like. Meanwhile, the aforementioned input unit 15 may berealized by the operation device 907.

The informing device 911 may be an example of an output device and is,for example, a device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device oran organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In this case, theinforming device 911 can inform the user of predetermined information bydisplaying a screen. Further, the informing device 911 may be a devicefor informing the user of predetermined information by outputting apredetermined sound signal, such as a speaker. Further, the informingdevice 911 may be a device for informing the user of predeterminedinformation by vibration such as a so-called vibrator. Note that theoutput unit 16 described above may be realized by the informing device911.

Further, the examples of the informing device 911 described above aremerely examples, and a form of the informing device 911 is notparticularly limited as long as the informing device 911 can inform theuser of predetermined information. As a specific example, the informingdevice 911 may be a device for informing the user of predeterminedinformation by using a lighting or blinking pattern, such as a lightemitting diode (LED).

The communication device 913 is a communication means included in theinformation processing device 10 and communicates with an externaldevice through a network. The communication device 913 is a wired orwireless communication interface. When the communication device 913 isconfigured as a wireless communication interface, the communicationdevice 913 may include a communication antenna, a radio frequency (RF)circuit, a baseband processor and the like.

The communication device 913 has a function of performing various signalprocesses on a signal from an external device and may provide a digitalsignal generated from a received analog signal to the processor 901. Inaddition, the aforementioned communication unit 11 may be realized bythe communication device 913.

The detection device 915 is a device for detecting variations in theposition and orientation of the housing of the information processingdevice 10. For example, the detection device 915 may be composed ofvarious sensors such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocitysensor, etc. In addition, the aforementioned detection unit 13 may berealized by the detection device 915.

The imaging device 917 includes an imaging element for capturing animage of a subject and obtaining digital data of the captured image,such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor ora charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor. That is, the imaging device917 has a function of capturing a still image or moving image via anoptical system such as a lens in accordance with control of theprocessor 901. The imaging device 917 may store the captured image onthe memory 903 or the storage 905. Note that the imaging unit 14described above may be realized by the imaging device 917.

The bus 919 connects the processor 901, the memory 903, the storage 905,the operation device 907, the display device 909, the communicationdevice 913, the detection device 915, and the imaging device 917 to oneanother. The bus 919 may include a plurality of types of buses.

Furthermore, a program for causing hardware such as a processor, amemory and a storage included in a computer to execute the samefunctions as components of the aforementioned information processingdevice 10 may be created. In addition, a computer readable recordingmedium storing the program may be provided.

7. CONCLUSION

Hereinabove, as described above, the information processing device 10according to the present embodiment recognizes various states such asbehavior of the user, a state of the user, and a surrounding environment(external environment) on the basis of information acquired by at leastone of the configurations of the imaging unit 14, the detection unit 13,and the another information processing device 30. Then, the informationprocessing device 10 determines a state or situation in which the userneeds to carry the information processing device 10 itself on the basisof the recognized various states and automatically operates so as torealize a state in which the information processing device 10 itself iscarried by the user in accordance with the determination result.

With this, the user does not need to be explicitly conscious ofoperation of recognizing a change in various states (for example, achange in behavior or a state of the user himself/herself) and carryingthe information processing device 10, and therefore it is also possibleto prevent a situation in which the user forgets to carry theinformation processing device 10 when, for example, the user goes out.

Further, the information processing device 10 according to the presentembodiment may determine a state or situation in which the user does notneed to carry the information processing device 10 itself (or it isdesirable not to carry the information processing device 10 itself) andmay automatically separate from the user in accordance with thedetermination result. With this, the user does not need to be explicitlyconscious of bothering operation in which the user recognizes a changein various states (for example, a change in surrounding environment) andremoves the information processing device 10.

That is, the information processing device 10 according to the presentembodiment switches a state in which the information processing device10 itself is carried and a state in which the information processingdevice 10 itself is not carried in accordance with a state or situationin which the information processing device 10 itself is used (that is,various states such as behavior of the user, a state of the user, and asurrounding environment (external environment)), without the userperforming explicit operation (that is, automatically). With thisconfiguration, in a situation in which the information processing device10 may be used, the user can carry the information processing device 10in a more suitable form, without being explicitly conscious of whetheror not it is necessary to carry the information processing device 10.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art from the description of this specification.Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

An information processing device including:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on a user; and

a controller configured to execute a control process for moving a devicethat can be carried by the user so that the device changes between acarry state in which the device is carried by the user and a non-carrystate in which the device is not carried by the user on the basis of theinformation on the user.

(2)

The information processing device according to (1),

wherein the device includes a drive unit for moving a housing of thedevice, and

the non-carry state includes a state in which operation of the driveunit is controlled.

(3)

The information processing device according to (2),

wherein the controller controls the operation of the drive unit in atleast one of the non-carry states.

(4)

The information processing device according to (2),

wherein the non-carry state includes a state in which the devicecontrols the operation of the drive unit.

(5)

The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (4),

wherein the operation of the drive unit is controlled so that the devicemoves to a detected position that satisfies a predetermined condition inthe carry state.

(6)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5),

wherein the information on the user includes information on at least oneof recognized behavior and state of the user.

(7)

The information processing device according to (6),

wherein the information on the user includes information indicating arecognized state of an environment around the user.

(8)

The information processing device according to (7),

wherein the information on the user includes information indicating astate of the device in accordance with use of the device.

(9)

The information processing device according to any one of (6) to (8),

wherein the information on at least one of the behavior and state of theuser includes information that is explicitly input by the user.

(10)

The information processing device according to any one of (6) to (9),

wherein the information on at least one of the behavior and state of theuser includes information that is not explicitly input by the user.

(11)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5),

wherein the information on the user includes information indicating arecognized state of an environment around the user.

(12)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5),

wherein the information on the user includes information indicating astate of the device in accordance with use of the device.

(13)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (12),

wherein the carry state includes a plurality of different states, and

on the basis of the acquired information on the user, the controllerswitches a state of the device to a state associated with theinformation in advance among the plurality of states.

(14)

The information processing device according to (13),

wherein the device is held in a position that satisfies a predeterminedcondition in the carry state, and

the controller controls the device so that the device is held in theposition corresponding to a mode associated with the acquiredinformation on the user among the plurality of modes included in thecarry state.

(15)

The information processing device according to (14),

wherein the position in which the device is held is set to at least oneof a part of a body of the user and an object carried by the user, theobject being different from the device.

(16)

The information processing device according to any one of (13) to (15),

wherein the controller controls a state in which the device is held inaccordance with a state associated with the acquired information on theuser among the plurality of states included in the carry state.

(17)

The information processing device according to (16),

wherein the controller controls, as the state in which the device isheld, at least one of a posture in which the device is held and a formin which the device is held.

(18)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (17),

wherein the non-carry state includes a mode in which the device iscontrolled to stand by at a position that satisfies a predeterminedcondition.

(19)

An information processing method including:

acquiring information on a user; and

executing, by a processor, a control process for moving a device thatcan be carried by the user so that the device changes between a carrystate in which the device is carried by the user and a non-carry statein which the device is not carried by the user on the basis of theinformation on the user.

(20)

A program causing a computer to execute

acquiring information on a user, and

executing a control process for moving a device that can be carried bythe user so that the device changes between a carry state in which thedevice is carried by the user and a non-carry state in which the deviceis not carried by the user on the basis of the information on the user.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 information processing device-   11 communication unit-   12 controller-   121 communication controller-   123 monitoring unit-   125 mode controller-   127 processing execution unit-   13 detection unit-   131 sensor-   133 position detection unit-   14 imaging unit-   15 input unit-   16 output unit-   17 drive unit-   30 information processing device-   31 communication unit-   32 controller-   321 communication controller-   323 association processing unit-   33 detection unit

1. An information processing device, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire real time information associated with a user; and a controller configured to: control autonomous movement of a device based on the acquired real time information associated with the user; and hold the device at a first position based on the acquired real time information associated with the user, wherein the first position satisfies a first condition, and the first position includes a part of a body of the user.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is further configured to acquire an image of the user from an imaging device.
 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to recognize the user based on the acquired image of the user.
 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to recognize the user by a face recognition technique.
 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a drive unit to move a housing of the device in a drive mode.
 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to control an operation of the drive unit in the drive mode.
 7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to detect a movement of the part of the body of the user.
 8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to control the autonomous movement of the device based on the movement of the part of the body of the user.
 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the real time information is associated with a recognized state.
 10. The information processing device according to claim 9, a recognized state includes at least one of a posture of the user, recognized behaviour of the user, a recognized state of the user, or a recognized surrounding environment.
 11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to autonomously switch a mode of the device from a stand-by mode to a carry mode based on the real time information, the device stands at the first position in the stand-by mode, and the device is carried by the user in the carry mode.
 12. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein in the carry mode, the device is held in a second position that satisfies a second condition, and the controller is further configured to control the device to autonomously hold the device at the second position.
 13. The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to control a state in which the device is held at the second position, and the state is controlled based on the acquired real time information.
 14. An information processing method, comprising: in an information processing device comprising a processor: acquiring, by the processor, real time information associated with a user; controlling, by the processor, autonomous movement of a device based on the acquired real time information associated with the user; and holding, by the processor, the device at a first position based on the acquired real time information associated with the user, wherein the first position satisfies a first condition, and the first position includes a part of a body of the user.
 15. The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising acquiring an image of the user from an imaging device.
 16. The information processing method according to claim 15, further comprising recognizing, by the processor, the user based on the acquired image of the user.
 17. The information processing method according to claim 16, further comprising recognizing, by the processor, the user by a face recognition technique.
 18. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the device includes a drive unit to move a housing of the device in a drive mode.
 19. The information processing method according to claim 18, further comprising controlling an operation of the drive unit in the drive mode.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute operations, the operations comprising: acquiring real time information associated with a user; controlling autonomous movement of a device based on the real time information associated with the user; and holding the device at a first position based on the acquired real time information associated with the user, wherein the first position satisfies a first condition, and the first position includes a part of a body of the user. 